Monday, June 27, 2011

“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3:12-13

Being a follower of Christ is not easy, so says Paul. Here he states that following Jesus and living a godly life will be full of hardships and persecutions. To make matters worse it sounds like that those who do not follow Christ will be turning from bad to worse. During these times, it was not easy to be a follower of Christ. This was the beginnings of the persecutions. They would die a death that is equal of a criminal. Times for being a believer here is not easy, and it would only get worse as the years would go on.

How does this really apply to me? I live in a country where it is pretty easy to be a Christian, where “living” for God is the norm not the exception. But the better question is: Am I really living for God? Does my life reflect godliness or is it just a facade? Am I really following Jesus or am I being what Paul calls an impostor. I feel at times, my life could be little more godly. The way I treat people, to my patience with others, to decisions I make, there are many places where I have a small amount of godliness. In fact it may be a reality that my life is not where it should be. However, what I also know is that God wants us all in. But I struggle with going all in. I want to live a godly life, its not all that easy that’s all.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

“So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant.” 1 Kings 19:21

Freshly anointed by Elijah, Elisha waste no time in moving on to the next step of his life. One day he’s a farmer the next day he is a prophet. Just like that he leaves everything and follows what the Lord ask him to do. Not only does he leave everything, he burns everything up and walks away from it all. Not only does it show the dedication and heart that Elisha had for God, but it also shows that when you have that strong of a calling on your life, you will give it all up for Him and follow.

God does call, but do I listen. Here Elisha shows me that you either need to go hard or go home. Either fully embrace the call on your life or not. God loves it when we walk in complete obedience. The issue with me and I am sure it is with many others, is that if we like the call, then we go hard, but if we don’t like the call or the assignment, we go home. But the thing with God is that it does not matter if I like it or not. Would I be ready to burn it all and live in complete obedience? I should hope so. I pray that I have this kind of commitment like Elisha, and I am ready to give it all up and Go Hard for Him.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Ecclesiastics 3:1

It may be time for a change. Here in this chapter Solomon talks about seasons in ones life. He then begins his very famous speech about times of change in life. What he makes clear is that change is inevitable and a necessary thing in ones life. Change sparks growth, maturity, and seems to be the spark that makes the world go around. If there is anything in life that is consistent, it is change. So what does Solomon do, does he question God, does he fight it. No, he accepts it and accepts it as is. No reservations, no resistance. He moves with the flow, and makes best of it. For he admits that God allows it, and there is a reason for it all.

Usually in my case, verses from the bible speak lessons in my life that show what I need to learn, however, here today, I read this verse in the midst of transformation. Change is never easy, but it in many cases, it is a sign of something good. Something God brings along to show His wonderful plan. But I am nervous, I am sacred, and I am afraid of the unknown. However, like Solomon, I should accept it and see God’s wonderful plan.